Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS), yesterday, closed down a bakery in Rwezamenyo sector, Nyarugenge district in Kigali which belongs to one Nzabanita Francois over poor standards and unhygienic conditions.

Bizimungu Shukuru, Head of Industry Inspection at RBS who headed the operation told Business Times that the decision was taken after standards body discovered that the bakery was in dire state with no toilets and wash tubs.

It also had rusty baking machines and housed in the proprietor’s residential house, he said.

"He (the owner) has been doing it deliberately and refused to put into action our requirements. We have taken the decision of closing him and confiscate his materials until he meets the standards,” Shukuru.

The Director of Quality Assurance Unit, Philip Nzaire, said the action is part of RBS’ regular field survey carried out to ensure that manufacturers, especially in food processors adhere to quality and standards.

"This is in the interest of protecting consumers. What we want is him to put all the right facilities needed for a bakery first so that he can operate,” he stressed

The foul crying Nzabanita Francois, whose bakery had no name stressed that he had been processing a loan of Rwf5m to upgrade his business to the required standards.

"I accept the poor standards and hygiene but I asked RBS to give me time as I process my documents to get a loan of Rwf5 millions from the Bank so that I can do what they want, but they have not listened to me,” he said

RBS confiscated machines which included a mortar, the frying pans. The bakery has been baking and distributing bans as well as doughnuts locally referred to as "mandazi” around Kigali city.

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